The press kit for "Spartacus: War of the Damned" arrived on my desk Wednesday, and as I flipped through the glossy photo book that Starz sent with it I wondered if any of the characters would survive the finale season of the bloody series. And then I thought, "Hey, it's too bad fans can't see this awesome booklet." But you can, sort of--and I can help. So here are most of the photos from the booklet for you to peruse. The new season begins at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 on Starz. It's going to be huge! Oh, and series creator Steven S. DeKnight responded to my question about anyone surviving by tweeting, "It ain't looking good." Enjoy.
Curt Wagner, RedEye's Show Patrol
"War of the Damned" key art
Strategy of War
"War of the Damned" trailer
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"Spartacus: War of the Damned" pits the Roman legions of Crassus (Simon Merrells) against the rebels led by Spartacus (Liam McIntyre). — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
SPARTACUS
Liam McIntyre
A Thracian warrior forced into slavery, Spartacus became the gladiator known as the Bringer of Rain. After his wife, Sura, was murdered by Romans, he led the gladiators in an uprising to escape the ludus and eventually defeated the legions of Gaius Claudius Glaber and slayed the Roman praetor. Now, Spartacus has amassed an army of thousands. He knows he is not only responsible for the lives of every man, woman and child in his rebellion, but also for continuing to inspire them to fight for freedom from oppression and stand up against the mighty Roman Republic. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
CRIXUS
Manu Bennett
Once the Champion of Capua and rival to Spartacus, Crixus has since become one of the rebel leader's most trusted generals. He blamed himself for losing Naevia, his love from the House of Batiatus, to a fate worse than death. But, with Spartacus' aid, he rescued her from the mines, almost sacrificing his own life in the process. After an emotional reunion, he trained Naevia to fight like a gladiator. Now, Crixus is focused on war and the defeat of the Roman Republic. He'll fight with Naevia by his side, and he'll see hell before being separated from her again. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
NAEVIA
Cynthia Addai-Robinson
A former body slave to Lucretia, Naevia was banished from the ludus after engaging in a love affair with Crixus. Her punishment was severe; she was sent to the salt mines where she endured horrific conditions and violent assaults from both Roman soldiers and other slaves. When Crixus learned of her fate, he launched a rescue. The mission was a success but their reunion was short-lived, as Crixus was captured by the Romans. Since Crixus escaped and reunited with Naevia, they share a bond unlike any other. Naevia, deeply wounded from her past, is trained as a fighter and now uses these skills to satiate her thirst for revenge. She is now a fierce warrior and fights alongside her love. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
GANNICUS
Dustin Clare
Long before Spartacus was forced to become a gladiator, Gannicus, a gifted fighter, was one of the few slaves-turned-gladiators to earn his freedom in the arena. After wandering free he was brought back to the games to face Crixus and his former brothers in combat, but he chose to assist in their escape instead. Gannicus finally joined the rebellion when he realized Spartacus' hope of freedom for all was genuine. Although highly respected, he shuns authority in favor of wine and women, sharing his bed with the beautiful Saxa. Despite his boyish lust for life, he is a key asset upon whom Spartacus depends. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
SAXA
Ellen Hollman
One of a group of Germanic prisoners rescued from a slave ship, Saxa is as physically striking as she is rude and brash. An aggressive fighter, she's just as violent as any man in the rebellion. Her skill with twin daggers made her a natural choice for Nemetes' attack force on the Roman vanguard, which ultimately failed and led to the death of her closest friend Mira. When not embroiled in the fighting, Saxa embraces life with the same vigor and passion as Gannicus and has taken to sharing his bed. She finds excitement and kinship with a man who's every bit her equal. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
AGRON
Dan Feuerriegel
One of three generals in the rebellion, Agron is a hot-tempered warrior who is fiercely loyal to Spartacus and the cause. Still enraged by the death of his brother Duro, who was slaughtered in the escape from Batiatus' ludus, he continues seeking blind vengeance at every opportunity. Often his anger is directed toward Crixus, but despite their differences the two are united in the cause. Agron was also instrumental in overthrowing Glaber's forces at the Battle of Vesuvius, which ultimately resulted in the death of Glaber and a great victory for the rebellion. Now, as Spartacus' right-hand man, he is responsible for his leader's safety while fighting for the cause. Agron shows his softer side only to Nasir, a fellow warrior and his love. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
NASIR
Pana Hema-Taylor
A Syrian body slave, Nasir had a life of position and respect in his master's villa. But that was stripped away from him when the rebels freed him, and he resented Spartacus for it. After a failed assassination attempt on Spartacus, Nasir realizes that he is in the presence of a man who really does want justice, and begins to train as a warrior. He receives instruction from Spartacus himself, and counsel from Agron, who becomes more than just a trusted friend. Over time, Nasir engages in an intimate relationship with Agron, and also proves his worth as a skilled fighter. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
CRASSUS
Simon Merrells
A man of great wealth, position and considerable wisdom for his age, Marcus Crassus is the last hope the Roman Senate has to defeat the rebellion. He amassed his extraordinary wealth through a series of shrewd business decisions but the honor of military success has eluded him. Now, Crassus has opportunity to gain that recognition using all means at his disposal to defeat Spartacus. Unlike his predecessors, Crassus will not underestimate this "mere slave." Spartacus has defeated countless Roman armies, and will do so again if not matched in brains as well as brawn. But bringing death to Spartacus will require more than just money. Crassus will call upon a young and battle-hardened Julius Caesar to help, much to the envy of his oldest son, Tiberius, who wants only to prove himself to his father. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
CAESAR
Todd Lasance
Few names in history command the power and respect that Caesar's does. With a noble lineage sired from the goddess Venus and Romulus, the exalted founder of Rome, it was his birthright to rule ... and he knows it. Arrogant and intelligent, but with fighting skills to rival those of a gladiator, Caesar is never one to be underestimated. Yet despite his heritage and his formidable skills as warrior, tactician and commander of legions, he lacks the wealth to see his ambitions play out; wealth that Marcus Crassus has in abundance. Seeing opportunity for both to advance within Rome, they join forces with one aim--to bring death to Spartacus and his rebel army. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
TIBERIUS
Christian Antidormi
The eldest son of Marcus Crassus, Tiberius wants to prove himself to his father. He's ready to lead and presses hard for a bigger role in Crassus' army. But Tiberius is living in the shadow of Julius Caesar, an ambitious and self-important young man who is, in many ways, the son Crassus wishes he had. It's a fact that Tiberius is aware of, and one that causes much friction between himself and Caesar. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
KORE
Jenna Lind
Kore is a loyal slave to Marcus Crassus, the Roman tasked with bringing an end to Spartacus and his rebellion. Her deep feelings for her master will be tested by spiraling events. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
LAETA
Anna Hutchison
The privileged wife of a Roman dignitary, Laeta becomes entangled in the struggle against Spartacus. Her life and those of the ones she loves are forever changed by the conflict. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Looks like Spartacus is going to get a bit bloody in "Spartacus: War of the Damned." — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Now Crixus (Manu Bennett) is a general in Spartacus' rebel army. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Gannicus (Dustin Clare) and Saxa (Ellen Hollman) prove that some fighters can also be lovers. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Crixus (Manu Bennett) never had much use for Romans--except as target practice. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Not to mix genres, but it looks like Spartacus (Liam McIntyre) would do well in a zombie apocalypse. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Crassus (Simon Merrells) needs another gulp of wine before he dances with Spartacus. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Crixus (Manu Bennett) and Naevia (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) fight side by side these days. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Agron (Dan Feuerriegel) advises Spartacus (Liam McIntyre) as Gannicus and Crixus look on. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
I never pictured Caesar (Todd Lasance) as a blond, but I;m not against it when he looks like this. — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Tiberius (Christian Antidormi) gets some TLC from the family slave, Kore (Jenna Lind). — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
Agron (Dan Feuerriegel) and his men. Does Nasir have a reason to be jealous? — Starz, Nov. 28, 2012
